Billions of dollars are spent each year by individuals and groups who would like to influence government. Sometimes this takes place in back rooms or quiet restaurants as we’ve seen in the 2009 New Jersey Corruption Sweep. At other times it takes place openly in the halls and offices where our elected officials work; highly paid lobbyists wrangle meetings with decision makers, and work to influence votes.
Hundreds of groups with widely ranging political, social, and religious agenda bombard us with ads, and encourage us to pressure our elected leadership to do something. With all those groups, and all that money floating around, how can we ensure that our elected leadership is representing us and not some influence peddler who is padding his pockets?
Fortunately for us, there are many private organizations whose charter is to monitor our elected leadership, our public institutions, and the press. While these organizations cannot totally eliminate abuses, they serve as guardians of the public trust and safeguards of our liberties.
American Civil Liberties Union
Center for Public Integrity
Common Cause
FactCheck.org
Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting
The Freedom Forum
Free Press
Media Matters for America
Media Watch
Open Secrets
Public Citizen — Clean Up Washington
— Woodrow Wilson
